The Skull Recruits New Guitarists Lothar Keller And Michael Carpenter, Announces Live Shows

The Skull, the new band formed by two original members of Chicago doom legends Trouble— vocalist Eric Wagner and drummer Jeff "Oly" Olson — alongside the band's longtime bassist, Ron Holzner, has now recruited guitarists Lothar Keller and Michael Carpenter of the Chicago, Illinois-based progressive power metal band Sacred Dawn.

Glen Drover (MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, KING DIAMOND) will not join the band as the guest touring guitarist due to scheduling conflicts. Commented Wagner, Olson, and Holzner in a statement:

"We welcome the twin guitar attack of Lothar Keller and Michael Carpenter from SACRED DAWN. Both guitarists have been playing together for many years and that's a big plus. We are excited to begin rehearsing for our upcoming shows!"

The following festival dates have been confirmed so far (more dates will be announced soon):

Ha! Clicked on this just because I guessed with the name it'd be some Trouble inspired band, got more than I bargained for!

So on the plus side, hearing Wagner sing in any band is awesome and Holzner has some real doom metal cred. On the negative side, one full strength Trouble is better than two half strength ones, it's a bummer they won't reform. The Skull seems mainly a way for the band to play as Trouble without Franklin/Wartell, but they'll always be at the heart of the band and the main songwriters.